The BOC Qualification Process
Congratulations on your decision to apply for Qualification by the ASCP Board of Certification! Each qualification is a three-year credential that may be renewed by providing documentation of continuing education activities in the appropriate discipline.
What are the advantages of completing a Qualification?
- Visible recognition of specific skills in a technical area with the Qualification initials after the ASCP credentials
- Recognition by state licensure—the state of Florida recognizes those individuals certified and qualified as HT(ASCP)QIHC toward meeting the specialist licensure requirements for histology
- More job possibilities—career mobility throughout the country
- Professional growth—keeping up with state of the art technology
To receive this credential, candidates must meet the eligibility requirements and successfully complete an examination (QCYM, QIHC, and QLS) or a work sample project (QLI). Candidates who complete the Qualification process will receive a Certificate of Qualification which is valid for three years. The Qualification may be revalidated every three years upon payment of a fee and documentation of acceptable continuing education related to the area of Qualification. A Qualification will not, in itself, entitle the individual to ASCP membership.
Please review the booklet U.S. Procedures for Qualification for details about the eligibility requirements and the process for examination.
For information on the International Qualification in Laboratory Operations (QLO), click here.
Please review and follow the instructions in each tabbed section in order to properly complete the entire qualification process.
Identify the Qualification you’re applying for and determine your eligibility.
For each qualification category, you’ll find a choice of routes that you can take to verify your eligibility for the qualification, depending on the education and training you’ve completed. Find out the eligibility requirements for your qualification:
Note: Requirements and fees stated are subject to change without notice
Gather your education and experience documentation.
You’ll need to provide documentation of your education and training and specified experience requirements that you’ve fulfilled in your area of specialization. Before you apply for the qualification, you should assemble all the documentation needed to:
Apply for Qualification.
Complete and submit the application form with the non-refundable application fee, along with all the information you gathered in the Documentation Step.
If you are paying by credit card, you must apply online.
If you are paying by check or money order, you must mail payment along with the appropriate PDF application to the BOC (mailing instructions are in the application):
Schedule your examination.
QCYM, QIHC, and QLS: Once your application and eligibility documentation has been approved by BOC, you’ll receive an admission letter containing an authorization number to the examination. The examination consists of a 50-question multiple choice timed test that must be completed within a 90-minute time period. The test is self-administered on your own computer at the date and time of your choice within the 60 day time period indicated on your admission letter. To access the online examination, click on this link to the testing site.
QLI: Once your application and eligibility documentation has been approved by BOC, you’ll receive electronically the QLI Project Booklet. Your QLI Project must be electronically returned to the BOC office within 90 days. View project descriptions.
Study for Qualification.
To help you prepare for the qualification examination, the following study materials are available. Please click on the appropriate links below for further information on these study materials.
Qualification in Cytometry, QCYM
Qualification in Immunohistochemistry, QIHC
Qualification in Laboratory Safety, QLS
Watch for your results and certificate.
QCYM, QIHC and QLS: You’ll receive your examination scores along with your certificate within ten business days of your examination date.
QLI: Because of the nature of the evaluation, allow approximately three months for scoring, reporting and certificate delivery.
Use of Qualification: This Qualification will not, in itself, entitle the individual to membership in ASCP. Individuals must be ASCP certified as a technician, technologist or specialist to be eligible for ASCP membership. Individuals who have been qualified may indicate this qualification through the use of initials in the following manner:
- Mary Smith, QCYM (for individuals qualified in cytometry)
- Mary Smith, CT(ASCP)QCYM (for individuals who are qualified and who are also ASCP certified)
Revalidation
Qualifications awarded OR revalidation granted before 1/01/2012 must be revalidated every five years. Qualifications awarded OR revalidation granted after 1/01/2012 must be revalidated every three years. In order to maintain your qualification, you must submit a completed revalidation form documenting the required continuing education / other activities in the area of the Qualification with your $50 revalidation application fee.
View suggested subject areas for continuing education:
Individuals who allow their qualifications to expire will be permitted to reinstate their qualification by completing the revalidation form, completing the required points, and submitting the current revalidation fee as well as a reinstatement fee of $50. If the Qualification is expired more than ten years, the individual must retake the online examination or submit a project, dependent on the qualification category.
For Steps on how to Synchronize Maintenance of a Certification and a Qualification, click here.
